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| Buena Vista Lagoon Ecological Reserve - Site # 39 | |||
| Background: | California's first ecological reserve and southern Caliofrnia's only freshwater lagoon is one of six coastal lagoons in San Diego County and a premier site for birds navigating the Pacific Flyway. Highways and roads bisect the area, creating four ponds. Pickleweed, salt grass, and other brackish marsh vegetation at the west end of the lagoon give way to freshwater plants to the east. The quiet lagoon provides breeding habitat for three endangered species; light-footed clapper rail, Calfornia least tern, and Belding's savannah sparrow. Wavering lines of tracks on the mudflats belong to turnstones, plovers, dowitchers, black-necked stilts, and other shorebirds. Resident great blue herons, great egrets, and showy egrets are easily spotted fishing near shore; black-crowned night herons may seek cover in the dense shoreline vegetation. Waterfowl abound during the spring and fall migration, including a wide variety of puddle and diving ducks. Also conspicuous on the water are American white pelicans and brown pelicans, another endangered species. Watch the skied for northern harriers hunting the upland borders and Forster's terns joining their small cousins, the least terns. | ||
| Viewing Tips: | Good year-round viewing. Excellent viewing during spring and fall. Will need binoculars and patience to see clapper rails and savannah sparrows. Universally accessible picnic area with marsh viewing. | ||
| How to Get There: | From San Clemente and Interstate 5, take Highway 78 est 0.75 mile. Turn left on Hill Street. Buena Vista Audubon Society Nature Center is 0.5 mile on left. | ||
| Contact Information | |||
| Managing Agency: | California Department of Fish & Wildlife | ||
| Agency Site URL: | |||
| Physical Address: | , CA |
Agency 2: | , CA |
| Manager Phone: | |||
| Site Phone: | (619) 439-2473 | ||
| County: | San Diego | ||
| Addition Website: | |||